According to Eric Mills of Action for Animals, "This unfortunate re-appointment was likely a "done deal" from the get-go. It seemed apparent that none of the senators had read any of the many letters of opposition from more than 20 environmental/animal organizations."

Original Action Alert

Jim Kellogg has spent more than a decade on the Commission and it is time for him to move on. During his previous tenure as a Commissioner as well as Commission President, Mr. Kellogg has repeatedly failed to comply with state law; specifically Fish and Game Code 4807(b), where the Commission is required to report to the California State Legislature no later than January 15th of each year as to the number and condition of all mountain lions killed during the previous year under depredation permits issued by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Jim Kellogg leading the December 2012 Commission meeting in San Diego.

Mountain lions were designated as a Specially Protected Mammal by California's voters and this report plays an important part in assuring the citizens that the Department of Fish and Wildlife is complying with conditions and restrictions set forth under Proposition 117.

The Commission's last submitted report to the California State Legislature on this issue was for the year 2005.

If confirmed by the Senate Rules Committee next week, Kellogg will once again head the Commission. He recently replaced Dan Richards as the president after Richards received an illegal free gift of a guided mountain lion hunt in Idaho. Though sport hunting lions in Idaho is legal, Richards violated an ethics code by failing to pay for the guided hunt, and his bragging about the kill outraged Californians who have twice voted to protect the state's mountain lion population.

Unfortunately Kellogg is no better than Richards; he even expressed sympathy for his fellow Commissioner by remarking that while on out of state trips he might shoot a wolf, but "I guarantee there won't be a picture of it."

California deserves more from its Fish and Game Commission, especially with the recent revisioning of the Department, the Commission, and their commitment to using the latest science to foster healthy wildlife ecosystems... not just for sport hunting.

Please send a letter to the Senate Rules Committee telling them you oppose the confirmation of Kellogg to another term on the Commission.

In your letter, please point out:

Kellogg has failed to comply with Fish & Game Code 4807 for the last six years.

His views on wildlife are not in line with the best interest of the resource nor do they reflect the wishes and needs of the people of California.

There's a reason for term limits... after serving over a decade with a poor record to show, it's time for a new face and expertise on the Commission.

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About the Mountain Lion Foundation.

The Mountain Lion Foundation, founded in 1986, is a national nonprofit organization protecting mountain lions and their habitat. The mountain lion is also known as cougar, puma, panther, and catamount.

We believe that mountain lions are in peril. Our nation is on the verge of destroying this apex species upon which whole ecosystems depend. Hunting mountain lions is morally unjustified, and killing lions to prevent conflicts is ineffective and dangerous. There is a critical need to know more about the biology, behavior, and ecology of mountain lions, and governments should base decisions upon truthful science, valid data, and the highest common good.
Conserving critical lion habitat is essential.

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